Ari didn't train under Eddie Bravo. He watched his videos and went to a few seminars. He has offered BJJ classes for many years, even prior to his "Eddie Bravo training". I have no doubt he loves grappling, but not having any real training other then teaching TMA students is weaksauce. He wants to be a talented, respected, highly regarded grappler but doesn't seem to demonstrate he wants to take the time necessary to learn BJJ/grappling/whatever by going to classes week in and week out.
Eddie gave him a purple which some people (BJJ black belts) seem to be questioning. Why would he not get regular training? IMO teaching techniques to students and making instructional videos of techniques you learned from other instructional videos without qualification makes you a fraud. He wants to "skip steps" of all the hard work it takes to become an elite grappler. It doesn't work that way. His 20 years of Aikido (or whatever it was) doesn't give him liberty to transfer rank.
I'm baffled why Mikey would become an active member of that website forum. Look at a legit purple belt like Aesopian does with instructionals and then look at Ari's and tell me who's the fraud.
My .02, and I am a complete jiu jitsu noob, the comparison between Aesopian's work and Sub101 is laughable. I have found Aesopian's site to be extremely helpful, and he moves and explains the techniques well.
What tournaments has Ari won? Any? I'm not saying you must be a great competitor to teach, but some credentials would be nice.
I wish he would go old school and accept a challenge from someone, or if he entered a big comp.
The mat doesn't lie.